A Florida businessman and convicted fraudster allegedly tried to blackmail $25 million from the House of Representatives. Matt Gates (R-Fla.) and his father were sued by a federal grand jury.
Stephen Alford, 62, appeared in court on Tuesday. He was arrested and charged with wire fraud and attempts to prevent the confiscation of electronic devices. Ministry of Justice (Ministry of Justice).
Although the news from the Department of Justice did not specifically name Gates, the congressman claimed that Alford was involved in a conspiracy to obtain a presidential pardon for US$25 million earlier this year.
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The alleged blackmail conspiracy was launched at the same time Gaetz was designated as the focus of a federal sex trafficking investigation involving a 17-year-old girl. Gates denied these allegations and did not raise any charges against him.
As allegations of sex trafficking emerged, Gaetz said he and his father, former Florida Senator Don Gaetz, were targeted by Alford and former Air Force intelligence officer Robert Kent.
Allegedly, these people asked the old Gates for 25 million US dollars to ensure the release of their predecessors. FBI Agent Robert Levinson disappeared in Iran while on mission CIA He was held hostage for many years in 2007.
Although the U.S. government and his family concluded that he died in March 2020, Alford allegedly claimed that Levinson was still alive. If he is accused of a federal crime, his safe deportation can ensure Congress The parliamentarian was pardoned.
The undisclosed indictment of the grand jury stated that Alford met with a person identified as “DG”-probably Don Gates-to discuss the plan, which he called a “return” in a letter. Township Plan”. The alleged blackmail attempt occurred between March 17 and April 7.
Alford allegedly told DG that his “president has assured his team” that he would “strongly consider” the presidential pardon or “instruct the Department of Justice to terminate any and all investigations involving” DG’s family.
Kent denied in an interview that he was involved in extortion New York Times, Insisting that the Levinson rescue project has nothing to do with the investigation of members of Congress.
“Alford was indicted today,” Matt Gates wrote on Twitter on Tuesday, along with a video clip surrounding the alleged blackmail Tinder podcast. “The next ones should be those who blackmailed me with a bunch of lies.”
The U.S. Department of Justice stated that after the court hearing, Alford was supervised by the U.S. Marshals Service. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison.
Weekly newspaper Contact the Gates office for comments.
